I was standing on the porch of the office, after the deluge on Sunday, and was taking in how green everything is after heavy rains. I was also noticing the difference in camp and how the fraser firs seem to be making a come-back. The firs that Chris replanted from the helicopter pad seem to be doing so well. It will be nice to come back in thirty years and see a totally different camp. And yes, I said come back. I don't think I will still be at the lodge in thirty years. I do, however, think I will still be making the trek to stay on top of my favorite mountain.

As I sit here and type, the sun is coming out. We had on and off sunshine yesterday. The high was 57º with a low of 44º. The fog has lifted this morning and I am looking at blue skies. Looks like it is going to be a stellar day up top.

Now, I have an exciting announcement. LeConte Lodge is happy to announce that we are finally putting together a calendar with photos from the lodge and different trails. We are hoping to have them finished by the middle of summer and available for purchase on our website. I will let you know how the progress is going and when they will be available.

Brad G.

6/4/2013 01:03:15 am

Woo hoo, can't wait for the calendar!

Debi

6/4/2013 01:53:14 am

30 years, would make me 78, yep, I'm up for it. Or otherwise some young stud to carry me to the top would work too. :)

Gina

6/4/2013 11:16:44 am

Will make me 79 1/2 if I count from today, hope to be able to go back up at that age!!! ( a stud will do if I cant make it, LOL)

Debi

6/4/2013 11:32:56 am

:)

Tony Ga

6/4/2013 12:16:07 pm

I'll be 80 and it will take 2 studs......stud horses that is.

Bec

6/4/2013 02:12:11 am

Great news about the calendar. I remember walking through the tunnel of firs to get to the lodge. The smell was intoxicating.

scott

6/4/2013 08:57:05 am

Hey I agree about the smell of the firs. That was one of my favorite things when I made my first trip up top last month. Took several pics walking in and then back out

Glenn OH

6/4/2013 02:23:00 am

Want one of those calendars,i'll have to see what the camp looks like in 20 years, good grief i'll be 80 can't be !!!

jean d

6/4/2013 02:53:24 am

Yea! A LeConte Calendar. What a great idea! Some more of the staff's great pics.. Put me on the list to get one..

doug y

6/4/2013 03:20:48 am

I'll add my wish to get one of those calendars, too. I think it will be a great item which will help promote the lodge, although I think that everyone who has stayed there has become a promoter of sorts. I enjoy telling people about it and occasionally actually meet someone who has been there, like the orthopedic surgeon up in Lexington, KY who will be doing my knee replacement surgery late this year. What will the lodge look like in thirty years !? Time will tell. I have two Hudson Bay blankets on the way, so next winter I'll be able to enjoy them. I might turn my a/c all the way down to "frigid" and use them this summer ! Good day all.

Tony Ga

6/4/2013 03:26:59 am

doug y, good luck on your knee replacement. I'm sure they'll have you up dancing a jig after the surgery.

Steve D

6/4/2013 07:01:18 am

Ditto to that!

doug y

6/5/2013 12:29:19 am

Thanks; I hiked all this past winter on sore knees, but it's about time I replaced one. Might have a small camera imbedded in that knee ! That'd free up my hands while hiking, eh !?

Debi

6/4/2013 11:41:30 am

That's awesome news about the knee Doug. Get rid of the pain is the biggest part. My mother in law needs 2 new ones, I wish she would just bite the bullet and get them. And the person I do his care for his sled dogs put off his knee replacement, replacement until July. He has a fishing trip he can't miss. 2 new knees, a new shoulder, one getting redone totally and he runs sled dogs 250 mile races. Used to do the Ididrod, but no more. Hes almost 71 and what a inspiration to us. So, I think I can climb a mountain once or twice a year and play with 23 sled dogs, plus old lab. Off the beaten path a bits. Sorry people.

doug y

6/5/2013 12:32:36 am

Well, as I said to Tony Ga, I spent this past winter on the trails with one really deteriorated knee, so, it's inevitable that it gets replaced. No amount oif home remedies are going to work - - I've tried them.

Pat N.

6/4/2013 03:22:45 am

Oh, so green! Glad you're seeing the sun. The calendar will really be something to look forward to...great idea. By the way, I ordered some great products from the LeConte online store! :)

Wes Mundy

6/4/2013 05:42:08 am

I have watched a lot of changes take place in the 45 years since my first hike to the lodge in 1968. And yet it has somehow remained the same. I look forward to my hike this September and hope I still have a few more left in me.

scott

6/4/2013 09:01:14 am

Wes, I hope you have many more hikes in you. I was 2 years old on your first hike up. My wife and I just did our first trip up back in April. Loved it. Wanting to be able to spend the night next time and maybe try a different trail. We came up Alum and went back down as well. Happy trails!

Al @ S. MS.

6/4/2013 06:29:52 am

We're headed up for another visit in just a few more days. I agree with "doug y" in that everyone who's been there becomes a promoter of sorts. However, when we tell or our adventures to the lodge and how "rustic" it is and how much we really enjoy it, their reponse is, "Why would you want to there?!" Frankly, there is no way to adequately explain it. So, we've learned to simply say that we're headed to the Gatlinburg area to do some hiking and camping. They seem to understand that. Y'all have a good 'un... see ya soon...

Scott A

6/4/2013 09:03:03 am

Hey Allyson, love the calendar idea. Another you may give thought to would be a year in review. You and Chris and others take such wonderful pictures during your working months up top.

Yes, Scott! Like maybe a DVD of all the scenes we see throughout the year? I make a screensaver and it plays all the pics I have from my High on LeConte folder. I would gladly help the lodge and save some time for me too by getting a DVD or CD of the scenes.

Scott A

6/5/2013 05:45:45 am

Exactly!!

Tim ga

6/4/2013 10:57:20 am

I pursued a real Hudson Bay at a road side stand in Dillard ga years ago for 5 dollars. A farmer had cabbage setting on it I bought 2heads of cabbage an he through in the blanket. Still have it

Debbie Seymour

6/4/2013 02:47:48 pm

Are the Laurel in bloom yet? We are hiking on Sat and wanted to know status of the flowers

Ron w

6/4/2013 03:21:25 pm

Well in 30yrs. I,ll be 95 , good Lord wiling I will be there on foot or in dust form , I,m going for foot. Bin comming up sence 1962 .see you on top.

carolyn boone

6/4/2013 04:40:43 pm

Al in Ms. Where in Ms.are you located?I am from COlumbia,ms.39429 and I did my first hike 9-11-11I was 74 and my husband was 80.We went up ALum and back down in a day.We didn't have much time to look around up top or go to Myrtle Point.I loved it and don't think my day is complete if I don't read the d.p.ever day.I woud love to go back but I am afraid I'm too old and out of shape.We are on the Guest Sightings.9-11-11 with our daughter from Brandon,Ms.that was her 2nc trip she and a friend went in April 2010 and spent the night.

Carolyn Boone Ms.

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LeConte Lodge

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